Privatization turns into nightmare for some Washington liquor stores
Sidhu put a lot of money into his new business when the Liquor Control Board auctioned off the 167 state-run liquor stores to private retailers in April. He says he and his brother have put in $1.5 to $2 million from the four stores they bid on, including one in Kirkland’s Houghton neighborhood. But Sidhu – like several other liquor store owners in the state – has felt the impact since liquor privatization took effect last June. He was forced to close Liquor Store No. 57 in Houghton two weeks ago because he said the store lost 85 percent of business since privatization.
More >> Kirkland Reporter.
